Lubricator for compressed-air machines



L. P. MARCELL LUBRICATOR FOR COMPRESSED AIR MACHINES Filed Deo. 28r 1.925

'EL ff 1 gwvenoz Il BWI-Ence F Marcell all! Patented Jan. 25, 1927.

UNHTED STATS htilde LAWRENCE P. MARCELL, VOF S'TH PORCUEINE, CANADA.

LUBRICATOR FOR- COIYIPRESSED-AIR IIIACHNES.

Application led December 28, 1925. Serial No. 78,017.

rlhis invention relates to an improved lubricating,` device.

The primary object of this invention 1s the provision of an improved lubricator for compressed air machines, which 1s capable of supplying` lubricants to the operatingv parts of the machine, proportionate to the speed at `which the machine is operated.

An in'iportant object of the invention is the provision of an improved lubricator for .machines propelled by compressed air, copable of eii'iciently and automatically lubrieatingparts of the machinery, with a eontinuous feed, regulated in quantity according' to the speed at which the machine is operated.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a lubrieator of the above described type which is adaptable for use in air lines supplying air pressure operated machines, without altering the construction of the machines or hindering their normal y operation.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following' detailed description.

ln the accompanyingl drawing, formingl a part of this specification, and wherein similar refer-ence characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view taken thru the ii'nproved lubricating` device showing the relation of the pump structure thereof to the air Conduit or passageway.

Figure i2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 2--Q of the improved lvbricator, showing its relation in an air line.

Figure 3 a side elevation of a spirally `orooved spindle included as a part of the inotor or pump of the improved lubricator.

in the d swine, wherein for the purpose of illusv .cion shown only a preferred embodiment of this invention, the letter A may (generally designate the `device which may comprise a housing' B consisting` of un oil reservoir casing' (i and air conduit or easing D. The improved motor or pump if is operatively lpositioned in the housing l) in cooperation 1th both the oil or lubricant casina' C and air conduit easing portion l), for the supplying' of lubricant from the casing C to the casing D, proportionate to the speed at which the machine upon which the lubrieator is mounted, is operated.

The improved lubricator is adapted to be placed in van air line leading to the machine which is to be lubricated, and this air line may include the spaced tubular sections G and H, a part of the air line or conduit, having; respective passageways l and l1 therethrough. i l

These sections G and H are screw threaded at their ends, adapted for detachably seating` in the screw threaded socket ends 12 and lli of the casing portion D of the housing A, to align the passageways l() and ll with the longitudinally extending passageway l of the casing` portion D, to provide a single conduit alongl which the compressed air travels, from a suitable source to the machine which is adapted to be lubricated.

The casing portions C and l) of the housing` B are shown integral, altho they may be separable. The casing portion D of the housing B has a lateral otl'iset 20, providing a chamber 2l communicating with but offset from the conduit way l5, within which the propeller wheel 22 of the motor or pump F is adapted to operate.

The motor or pump F in the main com prises the wheel 22, which might appropriately be termed the runner wheel, and it is suitably keyed upon the upper reduced end 25 of a grooved spindle Q6, which is vertically positioned with its upper end in the chamber 2l and its lower end extending?,` downwardly' into the reservoir 2'? of the lubricating casing` C. rl`he spindle 26 is provided with a bushingsleeve 30 of any approved material, which is mounted in a suitable opening 3l vertically provided in the wall 32 between the casinos C and D. The lower end of this bushing 30 extends into the upper portion of the compartment 27, and the upper end of the bushing` 80 is annularly flanged at 38, outwardly, to provide a shoulder which rests upon the bottom surface of the runner chamber 21. y

The runner or motor wheel 22 is positioned upon a horizontal plane for rotation on a vertical axis, and the same includes the hub portion 38 which is keyed, as above mentioned to the reduced end 25 of the spindle 26,' and the blades 39 of said wheel 22 are preferably radiallydisposed, and extend into one side of the conduit passageway 15, so

that during rotation ot the wheel 22 the outer edges of said blades 39 will not pass across the center line of the conduit passageway l5, and thus do not interfere with the travel ot compressed air from the source past the lubricator to the machine which is to be operated. A suitable bearing' is provided between the motor wheel 22 and the top ot the bushing 30, comprising a series ot ball bearings l0 placed between the top surface of `the bushing 30 and the lower surface ot the ruimer or wheel 22; the wheel 22 and the bushing 30 being so shaped as to form npper and lower races tor these anti-friction bearings, to prevent their displacement. This bearing arrangement takes the vertical. thrust incident te operation ot the pump or motor F.

linniediately above the pump F, in the upper portion of the otl'set 20 and the casing portion D, an internally screw threaded opening l5 is provided, as an entrance to the compartment 2l, and which is sufficiently large to permit the detachment ot all parts of the mot-or F including the bushings and hearings therefor. Below this opening l5 an upwardly facing shoulder 4S is provided, and a centering cap or bearing 5() is adapted to be inserted thru the opening 45, the saine having an annular margin portion which rests upon the annular shoulder 48, to support the cap in position. A standard screw threaded plug is screw threaded in the opening 45 to clamp the centering cap 50 rigid.

The upper end of the spindle reduced por-l tion 25 projects above the top surface of the motor wheel 22, and has a step bearing in the cap 50, the latter being' recessed to receive the upper end 25 of the grooved spindle 2G. A ball bearing device 57 may be supported by the cap 50, including inner and outer races with hall bearings therebetween; the inner race hearing against: the loose end ot' the spindle 26, as is illustrated in Figure l ot the drawings. rlilhis supports the spindle 26 in a very stable manner, to prevent'lateral vibration, and support the wheel 22 in a horizontal plane, against lateral vibration incident to operation thereof. lt is to be noted that the upper end ot the centering cap 50 may be provided with a reduced polygonal shank, adapted to be received in the recess of the clamping plug 55.

A riser barrel or sleeve 6() is received in a socket provided in the lower end of the bushing 30, and has a passageway (il therein thru which the spindle 26 snugly extends for rotation, it being understood that the sleeve G0 is stationary. The lower end ot the sleeve or barrel 60 supports a filtering cap 62 of tine mesh copper wire gauze, which prevents foreign particles from entering the groove of the elevating spindle 26.

rllhe oil casing C includes the reservoir 27 as above mentioned, and the bottom wall 65 thereof is provided with a suitable screw threaded drain opening 66, detachably receiving a cap G7 recessed at 68 to provide a snmp into which the lower screened end of the pump extends to receive lub 1icant. In the tcp wall 32 of the lubricating casing C a duct is provided which comniunicates the motor compartment 2l with the reservoir 27 in order to equalize air pressure between the oil chamber and runner chamber. A ller cap is provided on the lubricating casing C, to one side oi' the motor, as a means of filling the reservoir or compartment 27.

From the foregoing description the operation ot the invention fill be apparent. its the air flows along the air line, in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 2, the air will impinge against the inwardly projecting blades 39, and cause a revolution of the wheel 22, and a corresponding revolution ot' the spindle 26. The spindle 2G is provided with a siii-al groove therein, from end to end, spiraling about the spindle 26 in one direction, and an oppositely disposed spiral groove 82 which spirals in the opposite direction, so that notwithstanding the direction in which the spindle is rotated about its axis, the same will cause to be elevated a predetermined amount of lubricant from the oil reservoir 27 into the passageway 15 et the conduit casing portion D. lt is te be particularly noted that the spindle and pump structure at no portion thereof are in direct line with the traveling air, except the slightly inwardly projecting portions ot the blades 39, which do not act to any material extent in oitering resistance to the air travel, and so that the elliciency ot operation oi the machine is not impaired by reason of the placing of the lubricator A in the air line. This is not true et certain types ot lubricators which Seel; to automatically lubricate proportionate to the speed ot the machine. There is one type ot lubricator which seelts this result, hut which embodies a motorwhich .in itselit constitutes aportion of the conduit for the air travel. The practical resulis oit such structure is that oil will leak out of all proportions inte the air line; the resistance offeren is so much that the air is slowed to a material extent; the friction is excessive; loose particles ot toi-eign materials enter the bearings; and centrifugal force acts to prevent the lulgu'icant from entering the air line or conduit thereof. rather than permitting its entrance. ln the iniproved lubricator herein shown and described, however, the oil or lubricant is elliciently elevated by the spindle 26, within the barrel riser GO. in a vertical path, and it cnters the offset inner chamber 2i, passing between the bushing 30 and the runner wheel 22, and is laterally drawn into the air passageway 15; centrifuga-l torce aiding in Cil iiowingof `this lubricant into the passageway l5. It is or' course` apparent that the only portion of the lubricator entering the conduit l5 to obstruct the passage oi air is the outer ends ot the blades 39, and these do not slow the airto any material extent, and they olfer very little resistance. The friction incident to operation is practically negligible.

It vis noteworthy that the motor parts oi the lubricator are accessible at all times, and may be readily detached and replaced, without inconvenience.

Various changes inthe shape, size, and arrangement or parts may be made to the Jform ot' invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit oi this invention and the scope or' the claims.

I claim:

l. In a lubricator or the class described the combination or a conduit having a passageway for tiow or' compressed air therealong, a casing having a lubricant receiving compartment therein, and pump means for drawing lubricant from the compartment into the compressed air passageway including a`rotary wheel the axis or which is arranged substantially transversely of the run or the compressed air passageway, said wheel including blades extending transversely into the'compressed air passageway.

2. In a lubricator ror'compressed air propelled machines the combination or a casing having a vlubricant compartment therein, a compressed air conduit having an air travel passageway therein, a pump for pumping lubricant r'romthe lubricant compartment into the compressed` air passageway including a grooved spindle extending from the lubricant compartment to a point adjacent said compressed air passageway, and a wheel keyed with the spindle including blades parially extending into the passageway or" the compressed air conduit. Y

3. In a lubricator or' the class described thecombination of a casing having a llubricant compartment therein, a conduit having a compressed air iow passageway therealong, a` grooved spindle extending into the lubricant compartment and toward the compressed air passageway, means substantially enclosing said spindle so that upon rotation thereof oil will be carried therealong within the groove thereof, and means connected with the spindle and extending into the air flow oit the compressed air passageway of the conduit whereby incident to air flow the spindle will be rotated to carry lubricant therealong:from the lubricant compartment into the air flow passageway.

ft. Ina lubricator itor compressed air propelled machines the combination of a casing having a lubricant compartment therein, an air conduit having a compressed air 'How passageway therealong, means formed with said Vconduit providing a lateral chamber communicating with Tthepassageway, v'and pump means rotatably mounted in said lateral chamber extending into the lubricating compartment for withdrawing lubricant therefrom into said chamber, said 'pump means including a rotary bladed wheel having the blades thereof partially extending into the air low 'passageway'of said conduit to operate the 'pump without 'oii'ering material resistance 'to the air iiow thru said passageway.

In a lubricator tor compressed air machines the combinatioiror a casing `having a lubricant compartment therein, `a conduit having an air flow passageway therealong, and pump Aneans operatively connected with the conduit and lubricant compartment for withdrawing oil intothe passageway of the air conduit including a rotary bladed operating wheeloperating on an axis entirely to one' side or the air conduit passageway and including blades partially extending into said air conduit passageway. V

`6. In a lubricator i'or compressed air machinos the combination Ot' a casing having a lubricant compartment therein, 'a kconduit having an airflow passageway therealong, and pump means operatively connected with the conduit and lubricant compartment for withdrawing oil into the passageway or" the airconduit including a rotary bladed operating wheel operating on an axis entirely to one side or the air conduit passageway and including blades partially extending into said air conduit passageway, said blades operating in a plane wholly to one side or the center of said air conduit passageway whereby to offer little resistance to the airow thru saidy passageway.

7. In a lubricator for air pressure operated machines the combination of a lubricant receiving casing having a storage reservoir therein, an air conduit having a compressed air `llow passageway therealong, means connected with said conduit providing a lateral chamber communicating with said air How passageway, a spindle having a spiral groove therein, a` ysleeve rotatably receiving the spindle therein, `means mounting vthe spindle so that a portion or the same extends into said lubricant reservoir and the other portion thereoic extends into the lateral chamber communicating with the air passageway, and a bladed member keyed with the spindle having the blades thereof partially extending 'tothe air passageway oi said conduit. p

8. In a lubricato'r the combination of a unitary housing including a reservoir casing and a conduit having a compressed air iiow passageway therealong, a spiral grooved spindle, means rotatably mounting the spiral grooved spindle on an axissubstantiallyv at right' angle'sto the axis .or theair iiow passageway .or said "conduit,` and means conlit) nected with the spindle including a bladed wheel extending into the air iiow passageway Afor rotation by air flow thru said passageway whereby to draw lubricant along said grooved spindle into said air passageway.

9. In a lubricator of the class described the combination of a housing including a lubricant reservoir and a conduit having an air flow passageway therealong, means connected with the conduit providing a lateral compartment communicating with the air passageway thereof, a tubular bushing carried by the housing and extending from the compartment into said lubricant reservoir, a spiral groov'ed spindle rotatably bearing in said bushing extending into the lubricant of said reservoir and at its opposite end extending into the lateral compartment, and a wheel keyed on the spindle in said lateral compartment having blades thereof partially extending radially into the air passageway of said conduit, said wheel and bushing being so related with the spindle that upon rotation of the spindle oil will be drawn along the groove thereof for iiow into the air passageway of conduit.

10. In a lubricator of the class described the combination of a ,housing including a lubricant reservoir and a conduit having an air flow passageway therealong, means connected with the conduit providing` a lateral compartment communicating with the air passageway thereof, a tubular bushing extending from the compartment into said lubricant reservoir, a spir l grooved spindle rotatably bearing in said bushing extending into the lubricant of said reservoir and at its opposite end extending into the lateral compartment, a wheel keyed on the spindle in said lateral compartment having blades thereof partially extending radially into the air passageway of said conduit, and means providing` an anti-friction bearing between the bushing and wheel to take the axial thrust of said spindle incident to lift of lubricant from the reservoir to the air passageway of said conduit.

11. ln a lubricator of the class described the combination of a housing including a lubricant reservoir and an air conduit having a compressed air flow passageway therealong, means formed with the conduit providing a lateral chamber communicating with the air passageway of the conduit, said means having an ope-ning therein, pump means for the housing detachably insertable thru the opening of said last mentioned means into assembled relation with respect to the reservoir and air passageway for drawing lubricant from the reservoir into the air passageway, and a movable clamp for said opening of said means to detachably clamp the pump in place.

12. ln a lubricatcr of the class described the combination of a lubricant casing having a lubricant compartment therein, an air conduit having an air flow passageway therealong above the lubricant compartment, means connected with said conduit providing` a lateral chamber communicating with the air passageway, a duct being provided between said chamber and the lubricant compartment to equalize air pressure between the lubricant compartment and air passageway, a bushing mounted in communicating relation between the lubricant compartment and lateral chamber on an axis laterally of the air passageway, a spirally grooved spindle rotatably mounted in sind bushing having an end thereof projecting into the lubricant compartment, a sleeve carried by the bushing held stationary thereby and laterally enclosing the lower end of said grooved spindle to enable the lift of lubricant in the groove of said spindle upon rotation of the spindle in said sleeve, the upper end of said spindle projecting into the lateral chamber above mentioned, and a wheel keyed on the upper end of said spin-v dle operating on an axis entirely laterally of the air passageway of said conduit and including blades partially extending into said air passageway entirely to one side of the center thereof.

13. In a lubricator of the class described, a lubricant casing having a reservoir therein, a casing having a way therein along which an impelling {iuid travels, and a motor for drawing` lubricant from the casing into the way of the other casing including a spindle having spiral grooves arranged in opposed relation, and a wheel having blades disposed in said way for operation by said impelling fluid.

111. In a lubricator for compressed air machines the combination of a conduit having a passageway for flow of compressed air for the machine, a casing having a lubricant re ceiving compartment therein, a communicating passageway being provided between the conduit passageway and the lubricant compartment, and pump means for drawing lubricant from the compartment into the compressed air passageway including a bladed member rotatably extending into said conduit passageway for operation by the air traveling therealong, and means connected with the bladed member extending through the communicating passageway between the lubricant con'ipartment and conduit passageway for withdrawing oil from the lubricant compartment into the conduit passageway upon rotation of the bladed member.

15. .in a lubricator of the class described the combination of a lubricant casing having a lubricant compartment therein, an air conduit having an air iiow passageway therealong, bushing means mounted in communicating relation between the lubricant OD Uw compartment and the air passageway, a spirally grooved spindle rotatably mounted in said bushing means having an end thereof projecting into the lubricant compartment and the opposite end thereof extending exteriorly of the lubricant compartment, a wheel keyed on the last mentioned end of the spindle having blades located in the air conduit passageway for operation by air travel therealong to rotate said wheel and consequently said spindle, and bearing means between the bushing means and bladed wheel to space the latter from the former to permit flow of lubricant from the spiral groove of the spindle through said space and into the air passageway.

16. In a lubricator of the class described the combination of an air conduit having an air passageway therealong, a casing providing a lubricant compartment, said conduit having a transverse opening therein communicating with the air passageway, a detachable pump adapted to be inserted through said transverse opening and including a rotary wheel with blades extending into the air passageway, and means connected with the. Wheel extending into the lubricant compartment for withdrawing oil therefrom into the air passageway upon rotation of said wheel, and detachable bearing means for the transverse opening of said conduit engaging against said pump to hold the same in place, said detachable bearing means when removed from the transverse opening exposing the. opening to permit bodily removal of said pump.

LAWRENCE P. MARCELL.

Stil 

